THE wife of a paralysed man is taking legal advice about the removal of his team of home care workers.

"I want some staff reinstating if only for two or three shifts, to give me some respite," said Lesley Hunt, whose husband Ian was paralysed from the nose down after a motorcycle accident.

North East Wales NHS Trust say the home care package became unsafe because of staff shortages and want Ian in hospital while a new care package is worked out.

"I have consulted a solicitor and the MP Mark Tami and AM Carl Sargeant are on the case.

"I want to know why it took so long to find out that the level of care had got into the state it had and why nothing was done about it earlier."

Mr Tami and Mr Sargeant have already called for the immediate return of care workers to the Hunt home in Drury, near Buckley.

Last night it appeared that a solution may be on the way - but Mrs Hunt fears it could take up to six months to materialise.

She will be having talks on Tuesday with a private care agency which the Trust will fund to provide care. "They are coming to look around the house and see what is needed but it could take them up to six months to advertise and find suitable staff and train them.

"The Trust want an outside agency to come in. I just want them to hurry up and sort some-thing out.

"I have two friends helping out at the moment, taking turns doing the night shift with me. They wake me up every two hours to see to Ian, they've been just brilliant. I have to keep doing this as long as it takes."

Mrs Hunt is still reluctant to give in to the Trust and place Ian, 43, in hospital or a private nursing home while the new package is being sorted out.

Firstly she is suspicious that Ian will not be allowed home. She is also concerned there will be no opportunity for him to go anywhere once he is hospital bound and Ian and his family would much rather he be at home.

Health officials say until a new care package has been agreed, the safest place for Ian is in hospital although they say they accept Ian should be at home if possible.

The Trust says with sickness and staff leaving the initial care package, a 10-strong team, had reduced to three, with three as back-up, and that was not considered adequate.

Yesterday spokesman Andy Scotson said he did not know how long it would take to arrange private care with an agency recommended by the regional spinal injuries unit at Southport.

"We need to be satisfied the arrangements are safe and robust. We are reluctant to agree a quick solution and find that six months down the line we are in the same situation again," he said.